Most local legislators vote no on gun control bill

A bill aimed at stemming gun violence in the wake of the Newtown shooting has been approved by large majorities in the state Senate and House. But if the decision had been up to Eastern Connecticut legislators alone, the bill would have been defeated.

Like Rovero, state Rep. Mike Alberts, R-Woodstock, wanted the bill divided, saying he likes measures in it related to mental health and school security.

“It was disturbing to have to vote no on the bill as a whole,” he said.

Alberts said the bill’s language is flawed relating to getting a permanent gun permit after qualifying for a temporary one. If a 60-day deadline is missed, an applicant would have to wait a year before applying again.

“We’re going to see numerous situations like this,” he said. “This bill did not have critical analysis done well ahead of time.”

State Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, said that in voting no, he followed the wishes of the people of his district. More than 100 people said they opposed the bill compared to five in favor, he said.

“I listened to my constituents,” Ryan said.

“It was the most gut-wrenching decision I had to make since I was first elected to the General Assembly in 2004,” state Rep. Ed Jutila, D-East Lyme, said.

Jutila decided to vote no. “It tended to penalize those who acted lawfully, while doing little to stop gun violence,” he said.

State Rep. Linda Orange, D-Colchester, also said her no vote was the most difficult decision of her career, and it would have been easier to go along with the bipartisan majority. Orange issued a written statement after having dental work Thursday.

Orange’s statement said police officers had contacted her to say they worry “the new law will lead to well-armed criminals who can outgun the police.”

Many police departments can’t afford to provide their officers with guns beyond their service pistols, so officers buy their own rifles, Orange said. But the expanded assault weapons ban changes that. “It would be illegal for police officers to make those purchases going forward.”

“I appreciate the bipartisan effort,” state Rep. Timothy Bowles, D-Preston, said. Despite that, he said, he voted against the measure.

Page 3 of 3 - “I think it was too strong an emphasis on gun control and not enough emphasis on mental health,” he said. In addition, Bowles said, “Urban violence should be more of a concern” in the bill.

Bowles said he talked extensively with constituents, and hearing them, “I became convinced it was a very onerous piece of legislation.”

The other local House member who voted no was Steven Mikutel, D-Griswold.

Other local state representatives who voted yes were Mae Flexer, D-Killingly, Emmett Riley, D-Norwich, and Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford.